“Celebrate and remember the lives of your loved ones this Christmas by dedicating a star in their memory to support Light up a Life.”
That’s the message from St Margaret’s Hospice Care who are encouraging people to take part in its beautiful Light up a Life by making a thoughtful dedication in memory of someone special to support hospice care across Somerset.
As the winter chill sets in, our website will be home to a stunning virtual night sky, filled with twinkling stars. Each star representing a heartfelt dedication from our supporters, illuminating the digital sky in memory of their loved ones. It’s a touching tribute that will be visible to all, remembering those we love who are no longer with us.
This year St Margaret’s Hospice is aiming to raise £50,000 through its Light up a Life appeal and they want to get more people involved than ever before so the community can come together, support hospice care and celebrate those who are special to us.
George Cockburn, Supporter Retention Manager at St Margaret’s said: “The care and support St Margaret’s Hospice provides simply wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of the community, supporting us to continue caring for people at home across Somerset and in the hospice. Every £100 we raise could pay for a home visit from one of our brilliant community nurses.”
“So please get involved in Light up a Life and make a donation. It really does make a big difference to the lives of patients and their families.”
Mark, who experienced firsthand the profound impact of the hospice’s care, shares his heartfelt story. Mark’s wife, Julie, faced the formidable challenge of motor neurone disease and received unwavering support from St Margaret’s Hospice after being given the devastating news she had just a few years to live.
Julie was cared for at home by St Margaret’s nurses throughout her illness and spent her final days at the hospice’s In-Patient Unit before she died surrounded by her loving family.
Mark is supporting Light up a Life this year in Julie’s memory and said the hospice ‘always went the extra mile’ to support him, Julie and their two children, Tom & Emily, as they navigated a difficult period in their lives.
“Before we were referred to the hospice, it felt like we had a mountain to climb. Afterwards, everything felt possible,” Mark explained. “The hospice nurses were fantastic. They cut through the trouble and helped us to get the drugs Julie needed at home with ease which made a huge difference.
“When it was time to make Julie’s last journey and go into the hospice, the hospice team were so caring and couldn’t do enough for us. They took us into the In-Patient Unit and showed us to our room which included a cuddle bed. It’s a single bed that folds out to be a double and the team set it up for us so we could have a cuddle together as a family. It meant the world to us.
“The staff on the IPU were incredible. They were very respectful and didn’t intrude at all, but always seemed to know if we needed something. They didn’t just look after Julie, they cared for all of us.
“The support we had from the hospice meant Julie could maintain an element of control – when it felt like things were out of control all around her. If she was going to die, this was the way she wanted it. The hospice always went the extra mile. It’s little things that make a huge difference. They can’t change what’s happening, but they make it more bearable.”
This year St Margaret’s Hospice’s Light up a Life service will also be returning. It’s a special time for people across Somerset to come together in remembrance of their loved ones and celebrate their lives.
The service will be available to view on the hospice’s YouTube channel on Sunday, 10th December from 4pm and will feature beautiful poems and songs, thought provoking messages from hospice staff as well as dedications from people across Somerset to their loved ones.
If you’d like to make a dedication you can do so via post, online by visiting the St Margaret’s website or calling 01935 709485. All dedications received by Friday, 24th November will be included in the hospice’s Light up a Life service on Sunday, 10th December and go in books of remembrance which will be available at the hospice’s sites in Taunton and Yeovil.
Any dedications made after the 24th November will still be added into the virtual starry sky on the St Margaret’s website.